PASADENA, Texas -- A law school graduation photo of Ieshia Champs and her five kids is taking the internet by storm, as she proudly proclaims "we did it."
The photo has social media buzzing in the most heartwarming way. Champs is a single mother who's overcome adversity the likes of which you'll rarely see anywhere else.
"I had no idea this would happen. I literally thought I was just taking a graduation picture with my children," Champs said.
With one heel pressed against the books and her starting five right behind her, Champs is inspiring people she's never even met.
"I look at that picture, and I cry, because I cannot believe it," Champs said.
Champs will graduate from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law in May, but as you could imagine, the photo doesn't tell the whole story.
At 7, Champs and her siblings were taken away from her parents. They were placed in foster care after foster care and were eventually taken in by a maternal uncle.
Shortly after, Champs dropped out of high school, then had her first child at 19.
One child services caseworker offered her and her siblings a place to stay, and suddenly the dream of becoming a lawyer wasn't so farfetched. If she could only convince herself of what others saw in her.
Faith may have brought her here, but it's her perseverance others can't help but admire.
"When I look at them, I know there is no way I want them to go back to that. So therefore, they are my reason to keep going," Champs said.
Once Champs passes the bar, she hopes to work with families and one day fulfill her dream of becoming a judge.
